My meal here was surprisingly tasty for a chain BBQ place. The lunch special was great. $12.99 for a pulled pork sandwich, side, and drink. That is essentially unbeatable downtown. The pork was juicy and the KC style bbq sauce was good (other options were Chicago, Memphis, Carolina(?)). The mac and cheese was really tasty, I found myself scraping the bowl for more. It had a really nice crust on top. The service was quick and friendly. read more

I've had the full spectrum of BBQ from mind-blowingly incredible to places I send people I don't like. I am pleased to report that Blackwood BBQ is somewhere between "good" and "very good". It won't knock your socks off, but it is nowhere close to "bad." It's perfect for what it is, that being: a spot for a bite during the lunch hour. On both visits, I ordered the two meat platter, with brisket and sausage. Both were flavorful and savory, with the brisket being balanced in terms of meaty vs fatty (as requested). Now, that said, the prices at Blackwood are on the high side. On the one hand, I know the price of a pound of ground beef is greater than the minimum wage (as of this writing). However, I also can't help but feel the punch to the wallet when two meats and one side, where one of those is brisket, and a soda comes to somewhere between $20-25 (I think it's close to $25, but don't want to misspeak). Half a pound of meat is not a lot, making the wallet punch even worse. Then there comes the service. Most of the folks working here are professional and welcome. There is this one person, though, whose level of gruffness seems a bit high. It wasn't so much a lack of pleasantries for the sake of efficiency as it was annoyance that customers exist? Final verdict: If you're working in the loop, and craving BBQ, Blackwood is a rock-solid spot, but the high prices mean it likely isn't practical for a regular spot. If it's a weekend, there are better options out there. read more

Blackwood BBQ - Brisket & Sausage - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Pretty descent bbq for the city! Visiting from MN and was starving so picked this place at random. Not the best I've ever hard but not the worse either, did its job! read more

Food is usually good but they were out of mac and cheese during lunch. The guy said 8 minutes so I chose to wait. It's been 30...

I have fond memories of Blackwood from the pre-Covid days but today's experience shattered them. I ordered the lunch special, barbecued pork sandwich with a side and drink. The sandwich had ok flavor but seemed at least 1/3 fat and skin. The cornbread was as dry as the Atacma desert with no butter offered or in sight. They have good iced tea, though, polite, friendly staff, and good music, though. They have limited seating at this location. read more

Blackwood BBQ - A large chunk of fat and skin - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Blackwood BBQ is a tasty spot with a lot of options, sauces, and decent sides! If you have a specific regionality of sauce you like, chances are that they have it here. Chicago, KC, both Carolinas, lots to choose from. I opted for a burnt ends sandwich, but I'd probably try the salad on my next visit. Sandwich, cornbread, and a drink plus tip ran me close to $25 though, so I don't think it would be my regular lunch spot. Staff was friendly and offered suggestions when asked . Seating is surprisingly plentiful given the tight space. read more

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Overpriced. Small portions. Dry meat. Not worth it. Don't even have rib tips. It's so hard to find good bbq around Chicago. This place is not helping the stereotype. There is way better for a better price in the south suburbs. No joke. read more

I am a Northwestern Hospital Nurse, and I made a big order for the staff. The Blackwood staff were so amazing to accommodate my last-minute orders. They were so helpful and of course the food was so tasty and everybody loves it. Thank you again and we will continue to support the business. read more

One of my favorite barbeque chains. They have a good array of different sauces to align with customers' preferences. Their pulled chicken sandwich with Alabama sauce is absolutely out of this world. I should start trying other items on their menu but it really is that good that I wind up ordering it every time. read more

Since discovering this quick service BBQ I have eaten here 3 times in the last few months. I love the brisket! When I get the platter I always ask for extra pickles. I can't get enough of them! The sides are also great. I have had the corn muffin, Mac & cheese, and elote corn is my favorite. read more

Blackwood BBQ - Beef Brisket Platter - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I walk by here all the time because it's right by my work but today I finally stopped in for some lunch. There's plenty of different meat options but I have a sweet spot for pulled chicken. I snagged a sandwich with some North Carolina bbq sauce on there and enjoyed. Overall, it's solid bbq but I was left wanting a little something more from it. read more

Blackwood BBQ - Pulled Chicken Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Located inside the hospital complex. Food was very good, hot and the service was fast. I had the brisket sandwich which tasted great. I expected brisket sliced but it came chopped like burnt ends. My wife had pulled pork sandwich which was excellent. It was well lit and clean. I would go there a third time and try a platter instead of a sandwich. read more

Really good and smells awesome My first time here was definitely worth it, guaranteed! read more

While I was working at Northwestern on 29FEB2024, my manager went to Blackwood BBQ for lunch. She had tacos and I had the burnt ends salad. We enjoyed our meals and appreciated how quickly our food was prepared. The NC bbq sauce was like traditional Eastern NC vinegar sauce and very good. Thanks to Blackwood BBQ for a taste of home while away from home! read more

Grabbed BBQ for lunch today and Blackwood BBQ doesn't disappoint! I got the pulled pork platter with Carolina bbq sauce and it's super tender and juicy. Pickles and onions were fresh and coleslaw was crunchy. The staff were super sweet too, plus love how cute their to go bag is. Docked one star since I found a piece of plastic in my food but would still go back. read more

Blackwood BBQ - Piece of plastic in my pulled pork - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We ordered brisket and burnt ends for large Fourth of July party. Matt was very helpful with our order. Food was fantastic. Juicy and flavorful! Definitely recommend it read more

Came here for an early dinner and it's a small little place that gives a little bit of a Chipotle vibe in terms of customization and the modern-ness of the place. ATMOSPHERE/ARCHITECTURE: 8/10 Open, modern aesthetic with a lot of metal and glass. The chalkboard has some cute artwork overall and the place feels pretty inviting if not a little small. It can seat probably 20-25 tops. SERVICE: 8/10 The server/cashier was very friendly and guided us through the whole process along with the options we had available to us. It was a little slower than expected but otherwise I didn't have any issues with it. FOOD: 9/10 Pulled Pork Salad with Chicago Sauce - 9/10 - The pulled pork had a nice tender texture and smoky flavor. The choice pairing with the Chicago sauce was a great idea on my part as I felt they went together well. The salad was refreshing and did not feel too heavy or filling. It was a decent size and I really enjoyed it overall. A nice mix of fresh with hearty comfort food. Brisket Salad with Liquid Gold Sauce - 9/10 - Man, the brisket looked amazing as the server took it out from the oven and sliced off some chunks into the salad bowl. The liquid gold sauce was a variant of a Dijon mustard which paired okay with the brisket, but there were probably better options to have chosen with this. The meat itself though was amazing. Tender, smoked to perfection, just the right amount of fat. This was better than the pulled pork. Next time I come here I'd either get this again or I'd go and try for the burnt ends. Also, shout out to the corn bread croutons. YES, they really are as good as they say. VALUE: 8/10 I think the value is fair for what you get. It's about the price of a Chipotle bowl for a comparable amount of food. PROBABILITY OF RETURN: 8/10 I definitely would come back here to try some of their other offerings, like their burnt ends for one! TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT: Eat! It is 100% worth it if you like barbecue and the salad is well put together. OVERALL: 8/10 read more

Blackwood BBQ - Pulled Pork Salad - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

One of my go to spots for lunch downtown. They can get busy so go early if you're trying to grab lunch. They do sometimes run out of chicken, brisket or sides. Anything on the menu is good from the pulled pork, sausages and chicken is all delicious. Everything is a la carte, so it can be a bit pricey but the food is worth it. Plan i. Spending $20-30 per person, but the portions are generous. read more

Came in today for an evening dinner around 5 PM. The place was a zoo, filled with kids jumping on tables. They were out of the burnt ends. We waited 40 minutes for chicken tenders and a half slab of ribs. The chicken was decent, but nothing to rave about. The ribs were dry and chewy with lots of fat. read more

I really wasn't impressed with this place. A basic over price BBQ place down in the loop. The food was just ok nothing fancy about it. You can select the meat and sauce of your choice. The sauces are a bit strong and over power the taste of the meat. The space is pretty small and you are lucky if you are able to find seating. The customer service was ok. I can bypass this place when I'm on lunch. read more

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It's gone way downhill since the first time I went here 9 years ago. And it's gotten more expensive! Not a great combo

*waves hand in the air like a lunatic with great enthusiasm.* I am usually not a huge fan of bbq, but this place has me hooked. When I say hooked I mean sneaking in the door on tiptoes like those cartoons you watched in childhood. What's so great about this place, because it doesn't look like much? True, it's just a regular-looking storefront. The bbq is perfect and tender. The sauces and seasonings are also top-notch! If you eat here be prepared to get extra sauce just to try different kinds because they invested quite a bit in perfecting their sauces, so might as well try them! ;) They have something for everyone. If I don't feel like eating too much meat, I will have one of their many salads and they are by far the best salad you will find in Chicago. They use bbq meat, and they have even more sauces to select from in the place of salad dressing. You can get a fairly large bowl so there's no way you won't fill up on the salad alone. Their delicious cornbread is given out with most bbq dishes except for the salads, enjoy! I know I will. read more

I truly enjoy the sides offered at this quaint establishment. The Mac n cheese is so yummy! I could eat it by the pan! The elote is fresh and quite tasty & don't get me started on the cornbread!!! Definitely a great spot to grab a quick bite. The staff is friendly and the service is quick. Check it out if you're in the area. read more

The service was typical of Chicago/a big city. I wanted to try the burnt ends since it was on the menu, but they said they only cook them on certain days of the week. I ended up ordering the brisket with the KC style BBQ sauce. I can honestly say this is some of the best BBQ, as far as the meat, I have had in Chicago. They suggested getting the cornbread, which wasn't bad, but not worth the money in my opinion. The slaw was pretty good, but the elote was the e best side by far. I am not much of a pickle person, but I heard others talking about how great they were. read more

Blackwood BBQ - To Go Bag - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place was great! My friend and I had just gotten into Chicago and needed somewhere to eat quickly. This place looked perfect. There wasn't much of a line when we went in, but service was fast and accurate. The restaurant is nice and clean with a cool looking environment. The menu is straightforward and there are a few beers on tap and in bottles if you'd like a beer with Your BBQ. (We definitely did.) We ordered the platters of beef brisket and pulled BBQ both with Chicago sauce. Oh it hit the spot. The sauce was tangy but not overpowering the pork and beef were amazingly tender and tasty. We left the place well fed and happy. The only reason it got 4 out of 5 stars is just because it's not the best BBQ I've ever had. But it was well worth my money. I'd go back in a heartbeat. read more

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This food was suuuuuper good! I was in Chicago for a business trip looking for a quick bite to eat. At first, I stopped at the wrap/sub carry out next door. They were "closed" but the doors were open. I literally yelled to the men who were talking in the back (who I know who could definitely hear me). They pretended like they couldn't hear me though (oh well!) so I went next door to Blackwood BBQ. I can't exactly remember which sauces I ordered, but I believe one I got was with garlic? The person taking my order was very nice and let me sample as many sauces as I wanted until I could decide which one I wanted (because they were all soooo good!) I would highly recommend this place if you want a quick, yet filling, meal. Oh and by the way their sweet tea is unsweetened (yuck) but it isn't a dealbreaker :) read more

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We recently used Blackwood BBQ to cater our wedding in June and I cannot rave enough about how excellent their team was as well as the food. Under Jessica's expert guidance, the event unfolded seamlessly. The staff's professionalism, coupled with Jessica's attentive touch, fostered an inviting atmosphere that resonated with all our guests. What truly set Blackwood BBQ apart was their comprehensive service. Not only did they serve up their delicious BBQ and sides, but they also took care of coordinating the happy hour appetizers from another vendor, the bartending staff as our venue was BYOB and even the dinnerware, ensuring an elegant and seamless dining experience. Blackwood BBQ and Jessica played pivotal roles in crafting an unforgettable wedding day for us and our guests. People are still asking me about the food as well as their was barely anything left by the end of the night! read more

Ordered for 22 people and got 36 mini buns. That is less than 2 MINI sandwiches per person. I called to ask if I could purchase more buns and was told no. I offered to come and get them myself and explained that one mini sandwich per person was not enough. Again, I was told no. My order was over $500 and they could not sell me another package of buns? Really!!!??? They were completely un helpful and rude. Will not be ordering from them again. read more

This place has changed. The quality of food is still good but the value is terrible! Paid $18.99 for a salad with 2 small pieces of brisket. It was very lack luster. Should not be over $12! In addition the ambiance is now a little dirty and cheap! Signage taped on glass and written in pen. Went way down hill in my opinion. read more

Let me put my glasses on so that I can type this out loud (THIS SHIT PISSES ME OFF) The food was horrendous old and not good at all what in the world was that because it wasn't Mac and cheese the coleslaw had no flavor the biscuits was a mini muffin and you charged me 3.00 for that b.s. The brisket was old as if it was sitting out . I see why the place was empty when I got there. I'm giving this place a -2 out of 10! read more

Chef Otto has got it going on!! Meat cooked to perfection and boy these burnt ends are mouth watering Don't get me started on the Mac n cheese Perfect portion with a layer of stringy cheese cooked to a perfect golden brown to enhance the texture Phenomenal food for a fair price read more

Blackwood BBQ - a plate of meat and vegetables - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was a great experience.. as in the two tacos I had in about 10 minutes. The store is open for like 3 hours so plan accordingly for your visit. The Mac and Cheese was delectable and the sausage taco was very good. Don't make my mistake and come too late to get your order of brisket. read more

WOW. This little unassuming place has phenomenal BBQ. Every single thing I ate was absolute tasty perfection. The person who served me was not exactly friendly, and the price was higher than I usually spend for lunch, but honestly I don't even care. I had 2 brisket tacos, a side of Mac & cheese and a cornbread and it cost over $17. Honestly that's not even that expensive for the loop and it was so worth it. 10/10 will deal with annoyed personnel again to get that brisket. read more

My friends and I were wanting some barbeque but didn't want to spend too much on it so we decided to try this place. Walking in the restaurant, the set up reminded me a bit like Chipotle. My friends and I decided to order 3 1/2 pound platters of brisket, burnt ends, and pulled chicken. The platter of brisket was very delicious and tender. It had a lot of flavor and did not need any sauce whatsoever. It was the best thing we ordered out of the platters that we ordered. I would give it a 5/5. The burnt ends were alright. It was drenched with sauce and I couldn't taste any of the meat itself. Also, it was a bit tough as well, which was a but disappointing. Nevertheless, it was decent but I would probably not order this again. I would give it a 3/5. The pulled chicken had good flavor. It did not need any sauce and was delicious on it's own. However, it was a bit dry and tough. Therefore, I would give this a 3.5/5. The restaurant was reasonably priced and with 3 platters feeding 4 people, it ended up costing around $8-9 per person. The platter also comes with coleslaw (you can substitute coleslaw for another side for $0.99) and pickles. I would definitely like to come back to this place just for the brisket alone. read more

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Perfectly cooked brisket. They offer pulled pork, pulled chicken and ribs on Fridays, but it's ALL about their brisket. The other proteins are just ok. Above average Mac n' Cheese. I think it's topped with crushed Cheez-Its. Long lines during the lunch rush, but quick friendly service. For the price you won't find a better bbq option in the Loop. I definitely recommend if you're in the area. Keep in mind they close at 3pm M-F. read more

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Came from Texas and the barbecue was kind of lacking. Meat was cold and tough. The Kansas barbecue sauce was tangier than spicy, so it tasted kind of funky with the briskets. The Mac and cheese was mediocre at best. read more

Blackwood BBQ - Beef Brisket Platter - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great fast casual bbq place! Reasonable prices - I got the brisket platter for around $10 and subbed the coleslaw for Mac and cheese ($1 extra). The brisket was good - some dry pieces but not surprising. The Carolina sauce was ok, I would have liked more of a vinegar kick. The Mac and cheese side is so good - perfectly baked to get a great breadcrumb crust. Easy fast lunch pick! read more

Blackwood BBQ - Brisket platter with Carolina sauce - sub coleslaw for Mac and cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So, I live in Texas and my best friend lives/works at one of the very fine hospitals in Chicago. She's been working her tail off-night and day-weekends too, and I wanted to give back to her and her very wonderful team. I contacted Blackwood yesterday, and Jessica Cole the events/catering manager, was so wonderfully helpful!!! The food turned out amazing, the delivery was impeccable, and I have to say that Jessica was ridiculously helpful. Only reason that they didn't receive 5 stars, is that the Pecan Pie never got delivered....but one email to Jessica, and the pie was refunded and all was well! Thank you to our first responder's, and THANK YOU to Jessica at Blackwood for being awesome!!! read more

Got a burnt brisket ends salad and it was good! Line was packed for lunch, but it went by quick. You can get to choose your own salad toppings with bbq and salad sauces. Mac n cheese side was also pretty good! Loved the spicy ginger brew. read more

Blackwood BBQ - Menu with bbq sauce options - Barbeque Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Tried this place out with a colleague and opted for the Burnt ends platter, cause how can you go wrong with burnt ends amirite? Turns out you can. The burnt ends were not impressive at all in flavor. The seasoning was way off and some bites were even difficult to stomach because it was waaay too salty or waaay too not. I also sat through my entire lunch wondering why I got so little for the price I paid, I mean... it's burnt ends! Definitely one of the more lackluster barbeque places I have ever been to. I imagine if you were desperate for your bbq fix then more power to you but I don't think I'll ever crave the product here. read more